Tag: Karamojong

My friends like to use the phrase “you don’t just wake up…” when beginning a sentence to explain that there are some things you just can’t expect fwaa. So hey, you don’t just wake up and think that you’re going to sign up for a Koikoi trip to relax and or de-stress (if the word exists). My friend, you’re going to a real adventure that will make you collect all your muscle and mental energy for the hikes, climbs, swims, tiring laughter and photo taking stunts. People take pictures while on their knees, or lying on the ground sometimes; ask Joel Jemba. And in all honesty, I can’t think of a better way for anyone to spend their money after a long and hard couple of months slaving away at their jobs. But this not why I am here. Okay, only partly why.

I am now telling my story, and for the longest time, I had no real idea on how to start. I just knew that I needed a big release; I was almost overwhelmed when I got off that bus at Shell Kira Road.

One time, Kafundakreatives tweeted and asked people for what their top Ugandan destinations would be, and I personally remember mentioning that Karamoja was mine. Nowhere in particular, but Karamoja as a region was just a place I wanted to visit again, as the last time I did, I was on a work assignment in Moroto and had had no real extra time to marvel. I described it as “Karamoja and its people are art itself!” it was amazing to see how the town was growing but yet the people continue to hold their culture dearly. They walk the newly paved streets and smooth tarmac town roads dressed in Nakatukoks (the skirts with pleats worn by the Karamojong women and girls) and their shukas, just going on about their daily routine. It is a blend of urban and local so beautifully woven! I had to go back; and thanks to Koikoi, a trip was scheduled on the Easter holiday to the North East, especially to Kidepo Valley National Park and the community!

Almost 800km and or 12 hours later, we were at Kidepo on Friday night. While there, we lived at the Uganda Wildlife Authority Campsite in huts that we were told, are called Bandas. The campsite is literally somewhere in the middle of the park because we were hanging out with warthogs and Jackals on our doorsteps like they were domestic animals; and if you went out a little further beyond the bandas to catch the sunrise, you would be able to see a couple of Buffaloes in the distance grazing away, or a Kob catching and bathing the warm and smooth morning sun. Speaking of suns; the sunrises and sunsets at Kidepo were specially designed to take you on a journey of thought to the ambitious dreams you had since shut down in your treasure chest lest they were stolen; they’d make you fall in love with whatever melted your butter. It was the place to shoot your shot. No matter if it was a person or a picture, you’d just…shot.

Sunset at Kidepo. Photo by Karen Diamond

Day one found us having a rather “bourgie” Rolex from the campsite kitchen for breakfast, and a few of us checking out the observatory on a very raised platform with huge binoculars from which you could be able to view some animals at a distance. We would be doing the game drive later that evening, but first, we were off to experience the local Karamojong community and join in dancing to the different K’jong dances. They live in nicely organized huts; so neat! The guides shared a few daily experiences with us in words. It really is a rich culture! The dancing later was ecstatic; no one can pass a “jump-dance” haha (because all you have to do is jump real high, higher than your “contender” to win your bride). Even if you weren’t selected to dance, you fell in on it too, because who said there are rules to adventure? Absolutely no one!

The game drive later that evening would be everybody’s highlight. The trip’s highlight; because it already was, to begin with. We set out to hopefully see Africa’s Big Five that include the Lion, Leopard, Rhinoceros, Elephant and Cape Buffalo; and with the help of the guide, we managed to see Giraffes, Zebras (my favorites), Cape Buffaloes, Crocodiles, Antelopes, Kobs, and… wait for it… Lions! I guess if we hadn’t seen the Lions, we were never leaving Kidepo until they were delivered to us hahaha. Seriously though, that majestic pair of the Lion and Lioness just pretty much summed up Kidepo for most of us. The guide mentioned that if you saw a number of vultures on a tree, then the lions were close by. True to his word, Mr. and Mrs. (Smith) were catching a siesta under a shrub shed so peacefully, but we managed to wake them with the sound of the bus close enough to be able to marvel at their glory, and far enough to be able to be out of sight in a minute if the worst happened. Lol. The game drive was concluded under an orange sunset in the horizon, that every photographer on board captured, beyond the Zebras that leisurely just crossed the dirt path (we called it the original Zebra crossing).

Sunday had us back on the road from Kidepo to Aruu falls in Pader, 4 or 5 kilometers from the Gulu – Kitgum highway. Now. I thought I’d had enough at Kidepo. Boy, was I wrong! No one prepared my feelings for this adventure. Aruu falls is a gem in Pader district that every Ugandan needs to visit at least once in their life. It’s a shame that the falls are rarely visited, I came to learn! I mean, just the sight of the water cascading and gushing down those steps of rocks is therapeutic as much as it’s thrilling, unbelievable, and unforgettable. Especially in the dry season when the water intensity is low, and you’re able to hike down to the bottom of the falls, swim in the little pool created at the bottom, and then climb the rock steps right into the falls and have the biggest shower of your life. No one will prepare you for that. The falls are somewhat divided by some kind of vegetation, and one has to cross over rushing streams over slippery rock to see the other side that was almost magical. Less water rushing down the rock steps (due to the dry season – makes it more beautiful and almost unreal), a calmer pool at the bottom, pouring further down ahead to smaller pools made between rocks. Very picturesque.

The side of Aruu Falls that almost everybody missed, Photo with Galaxy S5

I can guarantee you that, you will not get this in the rainy season because you will not be able to get close lest you’re washed away, but you might just peek at the mighty roar that the falls become when in their “full function!” Aruu was IT for me. I will be back; not once, not twice. And I will suggest it to everyone!

My bones could not carry me after Aruu, but we had to see more culture in Gulu town, so we went off to the cultural centre. Dance, story, dance, blessings from the elder and more dance! Who said I was tired? I killed it out there on the Larakaraka like I was one of them. Easy-peasy. I was not letting a moment pass me by. No. I did not go 800km for nothing. At 2200 hours, I could not believe my bones, but the night life was not going to experience itself. We were out again, to BJs. I don’t dance, but I play foosball and I can knock your teeth out if you try to go against me. And I did. All those men, I just knocked them out like I’m the national champion. Foosball is my sport. If there are real competitions somewhere in town, let me know. Thank you.

Day 3, Monday took us on a short visit to the smallest Catholic church in Gulu town, St. Joseph’s Cathedral for some of the most beautiful portraits on the trip, a stop at Fort P’atiko of the heart-wrenching slavery tales and lastly lunch, that was giving us our fill to last us the rest of the hours to Kampala. I can’t exhaust my experience enough, but one thing is for sure; you have known nothing yet until you see it.

The smallest Catholic church in Gulu, St. Joseph’s Cathedral. Photo by Diamond Karen

“#KoikoiNE was nothing short of spectacular,” I said to my friend on arrival, over text. “And I would undoubtedly do this again.”

About the AuthorThe first thing Karen Ihimbazwe likes to say is that she loves God. She is glad to write her heart and mind because she doesn’t speak much. She loves to hug the whole world, eat rice and beans, and is a firm believer in Teetotalism.

Join the #KoikoiUG Movement

Whichever part of Uganda you are in, there is a story you can tell - a story about Culture, Food, People, and Physical features. Share these stories online, perhaps with some footage and tag #KoikoiUG and be part of the community of Uganda storytellers.

About Koi Koi Uganda

Koi koi Uganda is an initiative to tell the Ugandan stories.
Stories about Uganda's culture, people, food, and Physical features and anything Ugandan.
All these stories are shared online by individuals using the hashtag #KoiKoiUG

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Join the #KoikoiUg Movement

Whichever part of Uganda you are in, there is a story you can tell - a story about Culture, Food, People, and Physical features. Share these stories online, perhaps with some footage and tag #KoikoiUG and be part of the community of Uganda storytellers.